Woman released from hospital after Six Flags Ohio accident
Posted
According to Cleveland's Plain Dealer newspaper, a woman was released from Hillcrest hospital yesterday after suffering a skull fracture last Sunday caused by the impact of a loose object on Six Flags Ohio's Villain roller coaster. The object was apparently a wireless phone.
You can read the complete story on Cleveland Live.
Editorial
Jeff Putz, Webmaster, CoasterBuzz
I admit I have something against Six Flags Ohio, because except for the two minutes I'm actually on one of their coasters, something is irritating me, whether it be poor ride capacity, service or rude employees. But the old cliche "safety is no accident" is one that apparently the folks at Six Flags Ohio have never heard. The particular notion in the above story that, "riders do take backpacks, game prizes and other items on rides," is frustrating because there's certainly something they do about that. Signs do not release the park from liability to enforce policy.
Along with the accident in May involving a ride operator, I have personally seen enough reason for the state to fine the park heavily. On my last visit I watched the Wolf Bobs operator allow the train to sail right through the station on two consecutive loads because she was too busy talking to set the brake. If that wasn't bad enough, the operators allowed small children, literally dozens of them, 40 to 42 inches tall, ride the coaster. A friend of mine (who did indeed file a written complaint with the state's Division of Amusement Ride Safety) complained to a park operations manager who blew him off and said, "It won't happen again." However, it happened on my very next visit only on Big Dipper.
The industry is under terrible scrutiny lately, thanks to one stupid Congressman Ed Markey from Massachusetts. The fact is that last year's series of accidents were entirely the fault of the human element, not the rides themselves. Six Flags Ohio's human element is adding fuel to the fire by not taking safety seriously in any capacity. It could lead to more injuries or even death, and that would undoubtedly spell bad news in the form of federal regulation. The industry doesn't need it because of one bad apple.
Get it together, Six Flags Ohio!
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Yeah Jeff, but it only takes one bad apple for the government to enforce or enact rules. Expect something to be done about this recent accident. This also will not help the already bad image that Six Flags has already. If these types of accidents and the fact that you and others have stated total disgust for SFO continue than that park should be shut down until the problems are corrected. I dont want that Six Flags park to give a bad name to SFGAm and SFMM which are considered top notch SF parks.
I don't think it's SFO's fault. I believe it's with the entire Premiere chain. Look at most of the complaints about Six Flags parks. Most are dealing with poor staffing. I think they need to look at their hiring and the employee training.
While at SFA on the 4th one person complained about a ride I think it was Krypton Comet. They (SFA) asked if they (the complainer) knew the employees name since THEY (SFA) didn't keep scheduels for employees. Does that mean a clean up person can go onto a ride and just start operating it without training? It seem to me it can happen at SFA.
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Parks hit for 2000!
PKD,BGW,Knoebels,DP,HP,PKI,HW,SFKK,SFA, Camden, SFO,CP,WL,IW,KW,BP *** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 7/9/2000. ***
While at SFA on the 4th one person complained about a ride I think it was Krypton Comet. They (SFA) asked if they (the complainer) knew the employees name since THEY (SFA) didn't keep scheduels for employees. Does that mean a clean up person can go onto a ride and just start operating it without training? It seem to me it can happen at SFA.
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Parks hit for 2000!
PKD,BGW,Knoebels,DP,HP,PKI,HW,SFKK,SFA, Camden, SFO,CP,WL,IW,KW,BP *** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 7/9/2000. ***
Well Jeff if you hate SFO that bad why do you still go? I mean why don't you go to CP the most heavenly place on earth according to you! I love CP and SFO they both have their up's and down's but that doesn't mean that it is an all out bad park because it's not! I don't know what bugs up your butt, but I think it oughta die soon it's been up their for awhile! Well I'm outta Here C-yuh Later!
Formerly "¿BKF~B&M?"---LOL!
Formerly "¿BKF~B&M?"---LOL!
I don't recall ever saying that Cedar Point was "heavenly" or even perfect. You should check your facts.
I keep returning to the park because I want to think that I just catch them on a bad day. I care very much about the industry (I've got five-digit dollar figures invested in it) because I don't want it to fail or be scrutinized because of one poorly run park.
I do have standards for parks, just like people have for dining out (the reason I don't go to Denny's anymore). Places like BGW, CP, Kennywood and SFGAm show me a good time. SFO lets me down in service, ride capacity and food quality every time.
I'm not going to get in to a high school rival shouting match over this; I'm 27-years old and find that kind of banter pointless. You can think whatever you want about me, but if a park lets me down, any park, I'm going to speak up about it. Ask how I feel about "ticket to ride" to illustrate my point.
When a park starts to put people's lives in danger, perhaps even mine, it's not about holding a grudge or my-park-is-better-than-yours.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I keep returning to the park because I want to think that I just catch them on a bad day. I care very much about the industry (I've got five-digit dollar figures invested in it) because I don't want it to fail or be scrutinized because of one poorly run park.
I do have standards for parks, just like people have for dining out (the reason I don't go to Denny's anymore). Places like BGW, CP, Kennywood and SFGAm show me a good time. SFO lets me down in service, ride capacity and food quality every time.
I'm not going to get in to a high school rival shouting match over this; I'm 27-years old and find that kind of banter pointless. You can think whatever you want about me, but if a park lets me down, any park, I'm going to speak up about it. Ask how I feel about "ticket to ride" to illustrate my point.
When a park starts to put people's lives in danger, perhaps even mine, it's not about holding a grudge or my-park-is-better-than-yours.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
So, to clarify are you just the most unprofessional webmaster of all time or do you enjoy alienating and segregating certain portions of your audience? I have a feeling I'd be able to carry a cell phone onto any ride at any other park. Its not Six Flags Ohio's fault, its the fault of whoever couldn't stand to be at the park without their precious cell phone.
Get it together, strange man/woman! *** This post was edited by BrianB on 7/9/2000. ***
Get it together, strange man/woman! *** This post was edited by BrianB on 7/9/2000. ***
The cause of the accident was an UNSECURED cell phone. If it was in somebody's shirt pocket then an alert ride op would have been able to correct the situation before it turned into an accident. The point is that the ball was dropped on the operations end. The ride ops need to be properly trained AND supervised. My experience with SFO was that I didn't see anybody resembling a supervisor in the park the day that I was there. The public, having paid whatever the gate fee is, feel that they can do pretty much what they want to "because I paid all that money to get in." And they will do stupid things. I have see people trying to get on rides at various parks wearing child carrying backpacks WITH THE BABY IN IT!
It's apparent that the employees must think that they are getting paid to goof around,not work. This is a managment problem,period.
It's apparent that the employees must think that they are getting paid to goof around,not work. This is a managment problem,period.
Remember Cedar Point's "the guests lock their brains in the trunk before they comeinto the park"? Parks spend a great deal of time, money, and public relations telling people that the park is safe, and people (distracted at best, not caring at worst) figure that means "completely safe." They forget these are big, dangerous pieces of machinery. Consequently, the ops HAVE to be trained to spot dangers like an unsecured cell phone. Problem: it may not have been visible. It may have become unsecured during the ride (do you think some idiot may actually have been trying to ANSWER it?).
An article I read (and quoted in an article I wrote) said that people expect "illusions of danger in perfect safety. Maybe we need some PR campaign to make sure people understand they can't be totally clueless in a park?
An article I read (and quoted in an article I wrote) said that people expect "illusions of danger in perfect safety. Maybe we need some PR campaign to make sure people understand they can't be totally clueless in a park?
BrianB: If having an opinion is unprofessional, so be it. If someone having an opinion different than yours is unprofessional, well, that doesn't have anything to do with me or this site.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Now listen, I'm not coming to Jeff's back just because you guys on on it/ or he is the webmaster, but you took his opinion WAY TOO FAR. I feel that the ride ops at SFO are the equivalent of carny ops. Yes, they are at fault. Also, the person NOT securing the cell phone should be at blame also. That is all he said, that's it. And you attacked him, because when our lives are threatened by lack of attention of people that WE PAY to protect us, then you are in the wrong, my friends, for an all out attack on opinion. It's up to Jeff to decide which park to spend his hard earned money at, not yours. I, for one, will not spend the outrageous amount to go to SFO, just for these reasons alone. Are you going to get on my case for it, sure, but when one of you catch a camera off the side of your cranium on a loop of Batman, then please just go bleeding to an area hospital, do not come running to Coasterbuzz.
Overall: Jeff stated his opinion proffessionally, without attack on any one person on this thread. Thus, you took it as a personal attack on YOUR park and unproffessionally wrote without thinking of the whole picture.
I would hope apologies are in your future.
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There's nothing like a woodie...
Overall: Jeff stated his opinion proffessionally, without attack on any one person on this thread. Thus, you took it as a personal attack on YOUR park and unproffessionally wrote without thinking of the whole picture.
I would hope apologies are in your future.
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There's nothing like a woodie...
Since this is news and not a rumor than even people that love SFO should be concerned about 2 possibly fatal accidents within 2 months. This isnt a joke folks, peoples safety comes way before protecting a park because you feel its the best. This applies to any park that starts showing a pattern of wishwash tactics. Talking and debating about coasters is one thing, but when injuries start popping up in the amusement world it is a cause for concern. Stop the bashing of others and realize what this topic is really about.
I hate to say this,BUT
The other parks might be REALLY GOOD at keeping problems under a tight lip.
Look at the park capicity for CP in a day.That is a grand amount of people.There has to be a lot of no-nos that occur daily!
The people who work at these parks do not tell what really goes on.And so many people go to parks .The Buzz should start an anonymous catagory for those things that happen ,contributed by anonymous park employees.How many of the contributers on this subject have ever worked at a park anyway????
Me-No.But sometimes I wonder about it while standing in line.
My mom has worked in the insurance field for awhile and she has worked on all kinds of claims-no amusement I am very glad-what I am trying to say is that any place open to Joe Public is WIDE open to catastrophe or stupid human tricks.
I DO NOT LIKE WHAT IS ON THE WALL OF SFO'S VILLAIN!!!!Killing Instruments. -----------
"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
*** This post was edited by daisybean on 7/10/2000. ***
The other parks might be REALLY GOOD at keeping problems under a tight lip.
Look at the park capicity for CP in a day.That is a grand amount of people.There has to be a lot of no-nos that occur daily!
The people who work at these parks do not tell what really goes on.And so many people go to parks .The Buzz should start an anonymous catagory for those things that happen ,contributed by anonymous park employees.How many of the contributers on this subject have ever worked at a park anyway????
Me-No.But sometimes I wonder about it while standing in line.
My mom has worked in the insurance field for awhile and she has worked on all kinds of claims-no amusement I am very glad-what I am trying to say is that any place open to Joe Public is WIDE open to catastrophe or stupid human tricks.
I DO NOT LIKE WHAT IS ON THE WALL OF SFO'S VILLAIN!!!!Killing Instruments. -----------
"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
*** This post was edited by daisybean on 7/10/2000. ***
Thanks, Woody and Chitown. I'm glad some people are willing to "stop accidents before they stop you."
What time does the ten o'clock laser show start again?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
What time does the ten o'clock laser show start again?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I think you want an angle to greatly improve SFO.
And I am trying very hard to come up with an idea.
But as Pooh says"I am a bear of very little brain."
-Something is not correct with Batman ,it shakes the entire ride and the wheels make a horrible screeching noise upon leaving and entering the station.I went there just to ride this coaster.
-The Silver Bullet may have been allowing under height riders on,as also possibly the Double Loop.
-A ride op on the Roadrunner measured a girl from the balcony while she was down on the pavement.The second op tried to stop the grandfather before they got on the train,but the grandfather got angry and tried to use the first measuring which was very clear to him as bogus.The manager became involved,but she could not persaude the grandfather to leave and they stayed.The youngest park employees are to "cool",they cannot do the job in a mature way.(Mon.6/26 I was there.)
-A young man slept on the Merry-Go-Round.He was a park patron.
-The entire womens bathroom next to the Double Loop had no water in the toilets.Luckly an employee knew the hotline number to call.She ran out of the bathroom reciting it to herself!
Amature video might be a powerful tool .
I felt that because the park just went through a takeover it had problems ,and it would all come together within a couple of weeks.After the dust settled.I have seen your light.Shine on!
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"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
And I am trying very hard to come up with an idea.
But as Pooh says"I am a bear of very little brain."
-Something is not correct with Batman ,it shakes the entire ride and the wheels make a horrible screeching noise upon leaving and entering the station.I went there just to ride this coaster.
-The Silver Bullet may have been allowing under height riders on,as also possibly the Double Loop.
-A ride op on the Roadrunner measured a girl from the balcony while she was down on the pavement.The second op tried to stop the grandfather before they got on the train,but the grandfather got angry and tried to use the first measuring which was very clear to him as bogus.The manager became involved,but she could not persaude the grandfather to leave and they stayed.The youngest park employees are to "cool",they cannot do the job in a mature way.(Mon.6/26 I was there.)
-A young man slept on the Merry-Go-Round.He was a park patron.
-The entire womens bathroom next to the Double Loop had no water in the toilets.Luckly an employee knew the hotline number to call.She ran out of the bathroom reciting it to herself!
Amature video might be a powerful tool .
I felt that because the park just went through a takeover it had problems ,and it would all come together within a couple of weeks.After the dust settled.I have seen your light.Shine on!
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"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
The problem with the rideops at SFO is their nonenthused attitue....And the girl on RagingWolfBobs needs to be fired.
Six Flags (formerly known as Premier Parks) has owned the park for several years now. The dust already settled.
(By the way, the screeching noise you hear on Batman is normal; it's how the kicker wheels line up the train before the floor engages/disengages.)
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
(By the way, the screeching noise you hear on Batman is normal; it's how the kicker wheels line up the train before the floor engages/disengages.)
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I know the screeching is normal - but the shaking? I was shocked, given B&M's track record, at the roughness of BKF. Guess I'm not the only one.
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
Someone could put together (from the Buzz,hint-hint)a booklet of all the things they have seen or heard about that are of some question.Along with the booklet construct a list to be kept seperate from the booklet of new rules,old rules and or possible solutions to the problem situations.
Make appointments with the ultimate manager of the parks you choose to speak to as a group or alliance for the concerned who feel they need to speak up .
What I trying to say is Booklet of situations
List of solutions
Hey manager guy we this group are sharing info between parks to get a better handle on park safety would you contribute or bounce things back and forth with us.We want to squelch that government thing once and for all.
The parks,if they don't already,could take feedback from the employees also.
I believe this is what everyone has on the tips of their fingers (we are typing) but no one has said it yet.
I AM A BEAR OF VERY LITTLE BRAIN!!!!
I am just looking for feedback.I really believe[To have confidence in a statement or promise of another person.]in the people behind Buzz.I think you could do something like what I wrote about. -------------
"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
Make appointments with the ultimate manager of the parks you choose to speak to as a group or alliance for the concerned who feel they need to speak up .
What I trying to say is Booklet of situations
List of solutions
Hey manager guy we this group are sharing info between parks to get a better handle on park safety would you contribute or bounce things back and forth with us.We want to squelch that government thing once and for all.
The parks,if they don't already,could take feedback from the employees also.
I believe this is what everyone has on the tips of their fingers (we are typing) but no one has said it yet.
I AM A BEAR OF VERY LITTLE BRAIN!!!!
I am just looking for feedback.I really believe[To have confidence in a statement or promise of another person.]in the people behind Buzz.I think you could do something like what I wrote about. -------------
"Let's Take This One For A Ride !"
-DC Talk,'Luv Is A Verb'
I guess that thru this rampage on solutions for SFO, we're still waiting for an apology. Right BrianB and HaHaHa?? Or is that pride, not a frog that has your throat?
Through many threads, SFO has become a dangerous place to spend $40. Read SFO's Trip Reports and threads on Its forums, I'm sure most will agree.
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There's nothing like a woodie...
Through many threads, SFO has become a dangerous place to spend $40. Read SFO's Trip Reports and threads on Its forums, I'm sure most will agree.
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There's nothing like a woodie...
The thing that scares me about many parks, is that I'm putting my life in the hands of people that are younger than I am (and I have yet to graduate high school!) Remember that handicapped boy that fell out of that freefall ride? Correct me if my memory is wrong, but one of the ops was a 15-year old, and the other only had half an hour of training. Was the restraint checked properly? I think a highschool diploma should be required to run these rides. About regulation? At first I was opposed to it, but I'm starting to think that it might be a good idea. I don't mean that state inspectors will inspect the rides, I mean maybe they should make sure that the rides are inspected (which should be happening anyway), and that the employees are not acting in an unsafe manner.
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